Kieran didn’t respond to my taunt. He just stared for a long moment, his jaw tight, then released me without a word. It was unlike him not to have the last say. His silence was more unsettling than any threat he could have made. But I didn’t wait around to question it.
I slipped out of the room, my heart pounding, muscles still tensed from the confrontation. I didn’t feel safe, but at least I was alone. Finally.
Back in the narrow servant quarters, I didn’t collapse in exhaustion no matter how much I wanted to. I trained instead. Push-ups, sit-ups, shadowboxing in silence until sweat soaked my clothing.
The only thing that kept me sane was motion, reminding myself I still had control over my own body. The Alphas only had the control I gave them, no matter what they thought. I obeyed to
